Returning to the UK after many years
Mar 2nd 2021, 2:24 pm
#16
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: East Seaxe
Posts: 72,540
Re: Returning to the UK after many years
I have only been to Lynn once. I took the bus there, and stayed overnight at a lovely b&b. So, two intensive days of sightseeing. I was absolutely blown away by the town, it is amazing and beautiful.. even after the powers-that-be demolished a lot of the ancient centre and replaced it with boring post-war “shopping precinct.” Two of the most gorgeous and unique churches in Norfolk (and Norfolk has more medieval churches per square mile than anywhere else in the world.) There’s a very fine museum, it’s one of those museums that you spend two or three hours in, leave because you can’t take any more, determined to revisit another day - because you saw only a fraction of what’s in there. The customs house is lovely (seventeenth century I think?) I found one of those really good east European restaurants where I got a massive plate of ham, egg & chips and an excellent mug of strong tea, all for very little money. The town has lovely parks, medieval ruins, lots more. Very good train service. Property at all price levels. Economy a bit sluggish, the usual problems associated with that.
As always, Norwich is a great place to live.
As always, Norwich is a great place to live.
That sounds encouraging. Egg and chips.
And London is an easy reach. Going cross country westwards seems more problematic. To go to Liverpool, for example, they seem to want you to go via London.
Do you do any outdoorish things? The OH is into things like camping and canoeing, and was eyeing the rivers/fens etc for the canoe part of that at least.
Mar 2nd 2021, 3:05 pm
#17
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,542
Re: Returning to the UK after many years
That sounds encouraging. Egg and chips.
And London is an easy reach. Going cross country westwards seems more problematic. To go to Liverpool, for example, they seem to want you to go via London.
Do you do any outdoorish things? The OH is into things like camping and canoeing, and was eyeing the rivers/fens etc for the canoe part of that at least.
And London is an easy reach. Going cross country westwards seems more problematic. To go to Liverpool, for example, they seem to want you to go via London.
Do you do any outdoorish things? The OH is into things like camping and canoeing, and was eyeing the rivers/fens etc for the canoe part of that at least.
Anyway, this service stops at Ely. Ely is only 35 minutes from Lynn by train, nearly 30 trains per day. So you could easily book through there. BUT via London would be a quicker journey time, since there are really fast trains from London to Liverpool. Given the choice, I’d definitely take the cross-country route via Ely, since you just cross the platform to change trains, whereas in London .. well, you know the deal there.
Yeah, I walk and I cycle. I’d say Norfolk is absolutely first-class for both of those. Terrain is “rolling” rather than “****ing steep” like other parts of England I’ve lived in. Knee and hip-wise, “rolling” is good. Country lanes are superb for cycling in Norfolk, very little traffic. I’m pretty sure the broads are good for canoeing and kayaking, I haven’t done it myself. Just get him to read the relevant Swallows and Amazon novels first (Coot Club, Big Six.)
Mar 2nd 2021, 5:02 pm
#18
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: East Seaxe
Posts: 72,540
Re: Returning to the UK after many years
Kings Lynn formerly had good railway links in all directions, pre-Beeching. Now, just one line, up to London. But, there is an excellent hourly train service from Norwich to Liverpool, run by East Midland. We’ve used it a couple of times, to go to Manchester and Liverpool. Excellent, comfortable train, going through beautiful parts of England. (And Sheffield, as an added bonus.)
Anyway, this service stops at Ely. Ely is only 35 minutes from Lynn by train, nearly 30 trains per day. So you could easily book through there. BUT via London would be a quicker journey time, since there are really fast trains from London to Liverpool. Given the choice, I’d definitely take the cross-country route via Ely, since you just cross the platform to change trains, whereas in London .. well, you know the deal there.
Yeah, I walk and I cycle. I’d say Norfolk is absolutely first-class for both of those. Terrain is “rolling” rather than “****ing steep” like other parts of England I’ve lived in. Knee and hip-wise, “rolling” is good. Country lanes are superb for cycling in Norfolk, very little traffic. I’m pretty sure the broads are good for canoeing and kayaking, I haven’t done it myself. Just get him to read the relevant Swallows and Amazon novels first (Coot Club, Big Six.)
Anyway, this service stops at Ely. Ely is only 35 minutes from Lynn by train, nearly 30 trains per day. So you could easily book through there. BUT via London would be a quicker journey time, since there are really fast trains from London to Liverpool. Given the choice, I’d definitely take the cross-country route via Ely, since you just cross the platform to change trains, whereas in London .. well, you know the deal there.
Yeah, I walk and I cycle. I’d say Norfolk is absolutely first-class for both of those. Terrain is “rolling” rather than “****ing steep” like other parts of England I’ve lived in. Knee and hip-wise, “rolling” is good. Country lanes are superb for cycling in Norfolk, very little traffic. I’m pretty sure the broads are good for canoeing and kayaking, I haven’t done it myself. Just get him to read the relevant Swallows and Amazon novels first (Coot Club, Big Six.)
Thank you, very helpful. His probably a paid up member of the Coot Club (he's English too). Ely looks like nice as well, but not as close to the sea of course. After so many years in the Midwest, being closer to the edges appeals.
Mar 2nd 2021, 6:13 pm
#19
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,542
Re: Returning to the UK after many years
Mar 3rd 2021, 3:18 pm
#20
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: East Seaxe
Posts: 72,540
Re: Returning to the UK after many years
Ely’s not bad, but property prices are adversely effected by being just 20 minutes from Cambridge by train. Cambridge is unaffordable for most people so they’ll commute in from Newmarket, Ely, places like that. (Seventy-eight trains a day, apparently, each way, which seems weird, since I remember waiting on the platform interminably..)
I noticed that about Ely prices. I'm into cathedral cities. It seems to keep life going, with a good town center, visitors, etc., as well as picturesque.
Mar 3rd 2021, 4:13 pm
#21
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Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
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Re: Returning to the UK after many years
“Our friends had been suggesting for a long time that we visit this wonderful town,”
Mar 4th 2021, 10:30 am
#23
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Joined: May 2007
Location: England
Posts: 4,212
Re: Returning to the UK after many years
I would be interested in any more Norfolk impressions. We are looking at the area ourselves. What is Kings Lynn like, for example? Or Norwich itself, come to that. I would like to find somewhere that isn't exclusively a place for retired people, but is a little more diverse than that.
Mar 4th 2021, 10:36 am
#24
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Joined: May 2007
Location: England
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Re: Returning to the UK after many years
Bramhall is technically in the borough of Stockport and hence your in Greater Manchester historically it was in Cheshire , you have to go to say Poynton or Wilmslow to actually be in Cheshire (East) and not in gtr Manchester or Stockport.
Mar 4th 2021, 10:50 am
#25
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Re: Returning to the UK after many years
Mar 4th 2021, 11:04 am
#26
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Joined: May 2007
Location: England
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Re: Returning to the UK after many years
Sorry double posted..really it use to be Cheshire but it is actually in the borough of Greater Manchester County....it's like Manchester use to be in Lancashire but now it's in the County of Manchester historically it was in Lancashire.
Mar 4th 2021, 11:31 am
#27
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 26,319
Re: Returning to the UK after many years
Last edited by DaveLovesDee; Mar 4th 2021 at 11:34 am.
Mar 4th 2021, 4:20 pm
#28
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: East Seaxe
Posts: 72,540
Re: Returning to the UK after many years
My parents retired nearish to Salisbury so I know the area. Probably quite expensive now though. It is pretty and the cathedral is spectacular.
Mar 4th 2021, 4:21 pm
#29
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: East Seaxe
Posts: 72,540
Re: Returning to the UK after many years
There's a train from Norwich direct to Liverpool via Manchester every hour that takes around 5.5hrs.
Totally doable, thanks. I'm not wedded to travel to Liverpool really, just looking at how to get around the country from various places if you aren't in or near London.
Mar 4th 2021, 4:22 pm
#30
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: East Seaxe
Posts: 72,540
Re: Returning to the UK after many years
I really liked Norwich, large enough for all your needs but not to large and has a nice small city vibe. You have the coast nearby and lots of countryside on your doorstep plus it tends to have less wet days (as your on the east side of the country)we did consider living there ourselves. Salisbury is lovely as is Chichester and Winchester. I suppose it depends on your finances, Country or Coast, North or South near amenities etc.